MLB President of Business & Media Bob Bowman said that BAM Tech "prefers not to give up equity in any future rights deals as it did with the NHL." But in L.A., Stephen Battaglio noted Bowman "is meeting potential investors who can bring sports rights business experience to the table as well as reduce financial risk." Bowman "played down speculation in the financial media about" an IPO. He said, "I don't think we're ready for an IPO. I think we're ready for another round of investments. We're a neophyte in the rights business. We have a pretty good way to monetize rights" (L.A. TIMES, 9/30).
RIDERS ON THE STORM: In Detroit, Mark Snyder reports Big Ten Network "has taken a proactive approach" to weather threats related to Hurricane Joaquin, "cancelling its planned broadcast of shows" from outside the Univ. of Maryland's Byrd Stadium ahead of Saturday night's Michigan-Maryland football game. The net in a statement said, "BTN will reschedule the visit for a later date." Snyder writes the conference may consider moving the 8:00pm ET game to the afternoon "to distance the league opener from the brunt of an approaching storm" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/1).
BATTLE FOR THE BEANS: In Boston, Chad Finn notes WBZ-FM "was the runaway winner in the summer Nielsen Audio Ratings period, finishing first overall in the Boston market with an 11.3 share in the men 25-54 demographic." WEEI-FM, "the market’s other highly rated sports station, tied for fourth" with fellow Entercom station WAAF-FM with a 6.2 share. WBZ "has been the highest-rated station in Boston for 11 of the last 12 three-month ratings periods" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/1).
